Top award of Journalist of the Year in Granada Television’s What The Papers Say Awards has gone to Don Hale, Editor of the Matlock Mercury, for his investigation into the case of Stephen Downing, the teenager convicted of the Bakewell
Wendy Sewell
What we have written about Wendy Sewell
'Centralised subbing row' could spell the end for HaleDowning bail is refused
Campaigning editor Don Hale believes he is about to lose his job – in a row over centralised subbing of Johnston Press Derbyshire titles. The Matlock Mercury editor is currently in the headlines for his work to free convicted killer
Downing case breakthrough
Jailed Stephen Downing could be released from prison on Friday – after 27 years behind bars for a murder he claims he did not commit. His bail application hearing, pending an appeal, will be heard at the High Court at
My long, hard quest to free convicted murderer
Stephen Downing has spent nearly 27 years in prison for a brutal murder he claims he did not commit. Matlock Mercury editor Don Hale believes Downing is innocent of the crime and says he has now found fresh evidence to
'In denial of murder' is TV drama – not newspaper fact
He says it may have gone a step too far in its dramatisation of his fight to free Stephen Downing from his prison term for murder.
Legal hold-ups delay Hale's campaign victory
Don Hale’s campaign to get convicted murderer Stephen Downing released from prison has suffered a major setback. The Matlock Mercury editor has been told that Downing won’t be released this week as expected – and may not be home before
Editor in "Straw quit" call
Page 1 of 2 Matlock Mercury editor Don Hale has called for Home Secretary Jack Straw’s resignation – after what he calls further “bureaucratic bungles” that meant Stephen Downing’s continued detention in prison. Stephen (44), from Stanton View, Bakewell, has
Derbyshire weekly poised for decision on Downing case
After more than three and a half years of deliberation, the Criminal CasesReview Commission was today finally poised to make a decision on the future ofPeak District prisoner Stephen Downing. Downing (44), jailed in September 1973 for the murder of
Downing decision: "any time"
The fate of a man convicted for a murder he claims he did not commit could finally be determined within the next seven days. Stephen Downing (44), from Bakewell, is expecting to hear the result of his appeal against his
Union says editor's life has been put in danger
The National Union of Journalists has attacked the Criminal Cases Review Commission for putting a campaigning editor in danger. Don Hale, editor of the Matlock Mercury, has been investigating the case of Stephen Downing – who has been held in
Downing case on TV tonight
The Matlock Mercury’s long-running campaign supporting the claims of innocence for convicted murderer Stephen Downing is to be highlighted in a special feature on ITN’s Channel 4 News programme tonight (Thursday August 24). One of ITN’s top presenters and reporters
New twist in Downing case
The campaign to free convicted murderer Stephen Downing has taken another twist. The discovery of a birth certificate shows the victim, married housewife Wendy Sewell, had a secret love child by another man, according to Matlock Mercury editor Don Hale.
Times takes up local editor's campaign
Editor Don Hale has had the satisfaction of seeing one of his campaigns highlighted by The Times. Mr Hale, who edits the Matlock Mercury, has led a six-year campaign to free Stephen Downing – who he believes has spent 27
Fight for justice
Stephen Downing has spent nearly 27 years in prison for a brutal murder he claims he did not commit. Matlock Mercury editor Don Hale believes Downing is innocent of the crime.Mr Hale has campaigned to bring the case to justice
High Court result at last for campaigning journalist Hale
Stephen Downing, who spent more than 27 years in prison for a murder he always claimed he did not commit, has had his conviction quashed by the Court of Appeal. His case was heard largely as a result of campaigning
Protest march planned for Bakewell convict
A march to protest at Stephen Downing’s continued detention, after serving more than 10 years beyond his recommended prison tariff, is being planned for Bakewell on Saturday January 20. On the same day the Crown Prosecution Service must give its